Description
Recorded at Muscle Shoals’ Fame Studios, Mind, Man, Medicine is the fifth album by Alabama siblings The Secret Sisters–Laura Rogers and Lydia Slagle; described as an intimate exploration of human connection, self-reliance, and social issues. It features Alabama Shakes bassist Zac Cockrell, multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell, and co-producers John Paul White and Ben Tanner.
Ray LaMontagne joins them on vocals for All The Ways, which, given the recording location, fittingly channels the classic soul music of Muscle Shoals. Indeed, you imagine it being written by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham.
Sisters — Lydia Slagle and Laura Rogers — having reached a positive, contemplative place, settling into motherhood and looking at life from a wizened, mature perspective. Their music has always been gentle, but this album is their gentlest. That’s not to say it’s tepid or uninteresting; the opposite is true. Their songwriting is as sharp as it’s ever been, and some of the instrumental work, especially multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell’s fiddle playing, is truly exceptional.
Over the 23 years since The Secret Sisters released their debut, they have been feted, dropped by their label, faced bankruptcy, and considered giving up music. But they have fought back and persisted, going on to become stronger and gaining a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album.
